可以 kěyǐ — may, can (permission)

Meanings

1. 1

   may, can (permission)

   Says that something is allowed or acceptable: 我可以进来吗 asks for permission. It is the modal of what the rules or the other person permit, not of what you have learned to do.

   verb
2. 2

   all right, not bad

   verb

Example sentences

• 我可以进来吗？/我可以進來嗎？Wǒ (third tone, dipping) kěyǐ (third tone, dipping) jìnlai (fourth tone, falling) ma? (neutral tone)···

  May I come in?

• 我们明天可以一起去。/我們明天可以一起去。Wǒmen (third tone, dipping) míngtiān (second tone, rising) kěyǐ (third tone, dipping) yìqǐ (fourth tone, falling) qù. (fourth tone, falling)···

  We can go together tomorrow.

Common mistakes

• Not quite我可以说汉语。

  Correct我会说汉语。

  A language is a skill you have learned, so it takes 会. 我可以说汉语 says you have been given permission to speak Chinese.

Similar words